Pure Poison

The Great Being saith: Human utterance is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation. As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its moderation, this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets.

Now of course I know that if I have a pure heart my words will have great effect. This is why Baha'i teachers are always counseled to have a pure heart. And yet I have so often forgotten the second half, which is that this purity needs to be exercised with tact and wisdom.

The thing about purity is that something need not be beneficial to be pure. Especially since what is beneficial at one stage or in one instance can be harmful in another. And even water, which is absolutely necessary to life, if too pure, will destroy living cells. In fact I would go so far as to say, the times when I have done the most damage are times when I have acted with purity, detachment, independence, courage, resolution and magnanimity.

Consider human will. I would suppose that there is almost no limit to what we can do with our will-- note this does mean there is not limit to what we can accomplish, but rather what we can make out of it, especially regarding our wants and desires but also our beliefs, thoughts, and emotions. That is to say that we are under our own control. Of course there are forces which affect our beings, society and tradition, habit and history, the promptings of our hearts and our fellow human beings. But like the captain of a ship we can can choose what to make of the forces affecting our vessel.

Because of this there is an infinite variation in the realities of individuals. This means that we must take great care and caution in our speech. Speaking only after we come to some understanding of the one to whom we speak and never making assumptions-- overextending that understanding.

Every word is endowed with a spirit, therefore the speaker or expounder should carefully deliver his words at the appropriate time and place, for the impression which each word maketh is clearly evident and perceptible. The Great Being saith: One word may be likened unto fire, another unto light, and the influence which both exert is manifest in the world. Therefore an enlightened man of wisdom should primarily speak with words as mild as milk, that the children of men may be nurtured and edified thereby and may attain the ultimate goal of human existence which is the station of true understanding and nobility. And likewise He saith: One word is like unto springtime causing the tender saplings of the rose-garden of knowledge to become verdant and flourishing, while another word is even as a deadly poison. It behoveth a prudent man of wisdom to speak with utmost leniency and forbearance so that the sweetness of his words may induce everyone to attain that which befitteth man's station.